Friday, 30 March 2012

Production Roundup

Jenna-Louise Coleman:

I was part of the audition process where we met a number of wonderful actresses, but I think that Jenna responded to Steven's writing in the most interesting way. We're very excited to welcome her to the Doctor Who family - the Doctor needs a companion, he can't travel alone!

When speaking to Digital Spy about his new film The Pirates!, David Tennant also offered some advice to the new companion:

She'll have a brilliant time, I'm very jealous of her starting out on that extraordinary journey but, you know, keep your nose clean and watch your back. You're suddenly rocketed into a world of attention - certainly unlike anything I'd known before - you just need to watch your back a little bit, but it's wonderful, it's such an exciting thing to be starting out on.

The actress herself appeared on This Morning on 27th March to promote Titanic, but briefly said of the announcement of her new role:

I'm so excited that the news is out. I think I've known about six weeks, two months, something like that. I saw Perdita (Weeks, co-star in the ITV drama Titanic) the night before and I said that I'm going to have to go home early because I have a meeting, and she said like what for, and I said "television"! I'm a really bad liar!

Talking to Radio Times about the secrecy surrounding her casting, Jenna said:

I wasn't allowed to say that it was Doctor Who at any point - not talking to my agent, not when I arrived at the audition, and I certainly couldn't tell anyone at all what I was up to next. When you keep a secret this big, the temptation to tell is all the more irresistible, especially as I live with three schoolfriends. With girl politics the way they are, I couldn't tell just one friend. I had to phone one of them on the way to the press conference to tell her that I'd borrowed her shoes, in case she saw them in photos!

The full interview is in the new edition of Radio Times (31 Mar-6 Apr 2012), where the actress also explains how she had to describe her audition as being for Men On Waves (an anagram of Woman Seven).

Radio Times have also published a number of exclusive publicity photos of the actress, which can be found via their website here.

Casting::

Joanne McQuinn

McQuinn is primarily known as Sally Moore in the BBC series Mistresses. She also appeared in Little Miss Jocelyn, The Bill, and Our Friends in the North, and played Zoë Lessard in the documentary Space Odyssey - Voyage of the Planets. In addition, she appeared in the film Fierce Creatures

David Gyasi

David Gyasi has been reported by the Standard as appearing in the series in an interview with the actor.

Gyasi can currently be seen as Victor in BBC2's White Heat. Other shows have included Apparitions, Demons, Waking the Dead, Murderland, and he played Jeremy Hands in Mike Bassett: Manager. He also appeared in the first series of Torchwood, playing hospital patient Will Harris in Combat.

Filming:

After all the Spanish excitement, filming continued in studio in the week leading up to the official convention, with Arthur Darvill providing Twitter followers with a little levity over lunch. Then, at the convention itself, executive producer Caroline Skinner presented followers with a "dimensionally transcendental" Steven Moffat!

A tweet from last Friday indicated some upside down antics on set, with DrakeAV reporting: "So excited! I got to pop into the Tardis and saw Karen Gillan hanging by a thread upside down screaming. Doctor...«. This was later confirmed by Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill themselves at the official convention, with Karen saying that the length of time suspended led to some blood vessels bursting! Steven Moffat was alleged to be present during the shoot laughing at their predicament ...

Friday evening then saw a read-through for the current filming block, covering episodes one and five.

As previously reported, the production team are to take their second international trip next month when they film in New York as part of the production for episode five, Amy and Rory's final story which features the return of the Weeping Angels.

Meanwhile, production has continued in studio for episode one, the series opener that will feature the return of the Daleks. The teaser trailer this week included a brief glimpse of the Doctor's old adversary in the snow (believed to have been filmed in Spain as part of the shoot there earlier in the month), and the BBC have now released some teaser images of the Daleks in studio:

Filming is expected to continue in Cardiff next week at the university's School of Physics and Astronomy.

Unconfirmed Updates:

The Daily Star has reported that an online version of Doctor Who Confidential is to be made to accompany the next series. However, there has been no other confirmation of this elsewhere at present.

During the convention, attendees were able to take a tour of the existing TARDIS sets at the BBC's Upper Boat Studios. Speculation as to why the console room hadn't been transferred to the new Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff Bay seem to have been clarified now, with fan Robert Davis reporting: "At today's TARDIS tour crew let slip that this Console room is not moving to new studios - NEW redesigned TARDIS being built there!!!«"

Production Crew: Related Vacancy:

BBC Careers have listed a role within the BBC Wales Production Unit which, though not specifically advertised for Doctor Who, will encompass the show amongst others:

BBC Wales Production Unit aims to be the best value and most creative producer of programmes in the UK, fostering a dynamic, flexible culture which supports high quality and innovative production. There are currently over 400 staff in the Unit. The main focus of your role will be in post production and graphic design.

The Post Production and graphic design department is the largest of its type outside of London and is responsible for the post production of a wide range of the BBC programmes including; Doctor Who, Human Planet, Egypt, Crimewatch, Upstairs Downstairs and The Sarah Jane Adventures.

Requirements: BBC Wales post production and graphic design is looking for an enthusiastic and well organised person to help get the best from our talented craft staff and facilities. You will work closely with production teams and be responsible for organising and supervising the post production of a wide range of projects within BBC Wales.

The role, based in Cardiff, is for internal applicants only, with a closing date of 12th April.